Karachi Gul Plaza Fire Kills 30, Highlights City's Fire Safety Shortages

A fire at Karachi's Gul Plaza shopping mall on January 17, 2026, resulted in at least 30 deaths, including one firefighter, with 73 people still missing, among them 16 minors. The blaze took nearly 36 hours to control and caused partial building collapse. Officials highlighted Karachi's severe shortage of fire safety infrastructure, with only 28 fire stations serving a population of nearly 25 million, far below international standards. Lawmakers and authorities are calling for reforms and monitoring the damaged structure amid ongoing rescue efforts.